Holiday by Hannah Carrick
Presented in everyone’s favourite holiday destination, Holiday by Hannah Carrick at Yeah, Nice Gallery in Byron Bay, is evocative of long summer days and lazy afternoons swimming.
Words: Emma-Kate Wilson | Photography: Hannah Carrick
Passionfruit by Hannah Carrick from her exhibition, Holiday at Yeah, Nice Gallery. Photo - Hannah Carrick.
Dear December by Hannah Carrick from her exhibition, Holiday at Yeah, Nice Gallery. Photo - Hannah Carrick.
Hannah Carrick’s exhibition catalogue begins, Holiday ‘is an ode to euphoric memories,’ representing ‘warm nostalgia and simple pleasures’. These sentiments can be clearly seen through her dreamy and ethereal acrylic paintings which loom over the audience on large-scale canvases.
For the Sydney-based artist, returning home to Byron Bay for the exhibition at Yeah, Nice Gallery welcomes childhood memories, growing up with rolling hills, the ocean, and wildflowers. “I have always liked to create euphoric places that offer a sense of escapism, almost like a holiday for the mind,” Hannah muses.
With names like Blood Orange and Hotel Limoncello, we are also welcome to Hannah’s European memories. The colour palette of the series recalling long lunches over the glistening Mediterranean, citrus fruits adorning the table. Also inspired by Greek history, we see Goddess-like figures intersecting colourful backgrounds and classical architecture—soft and full, their imagery flows on from the curves of the columns and delicate foliage.
A memory that stands out to Hannah was a trip to a small Greek island, Samos. Home to the ancient port of Pythagoreion and birthplace of philosopher Epicurus, his hedonistic ethics rings through in Holiday, one of simple pleasure, friendship, and retirement. “I travelled there with friends who painted the island with stories of their heritage,” Hannah shares. “Experiencing a place rich in Greek history through the eyes of a local is something I will never forget.”
Dear December and Hotel Limoncello by Hannah Carrick on display at Yeah, Nice Gallery. Photo - Hannah Carrick. Photo - Hannah Carrick.
“My work reveals how I am feeling or what I may be going through at the time,” says Hannah Carrick, pictured in her studio. Photo - Hannah Carrick.
“I have always liked to create euphoric places that offer a sense of escapism, almost like a holiday for the mind.”
Euphoria by Hannah Carrick from her exhibition, Holiday at Yeah, Nice Gallery, in progress in the artist’s studio. Photo - Hannah Carrick.
Halcyon #2 by Hannah Carrick from her exhibition, Holiday at Yeah, Nice Gallery. Photo - Hannah Carrick.
Halcyon #1 by Hannah Carrick from her exhibition, Holiday at Yeah, Nice Gallery. Photo - Hannah Carrick. Photo - Hannah Carrick.
Oasis by Hannah Carrick from her exhibition, Holiday at Yeah, Nice Gallery. Photo - Hannah Carrick. Photo - Hannah Carrick.
For Hannah, this series was a welcome respite. “The previous collection was created during some private struggles,” she reflects. “Holiday came after that dark place I found myself in, like the other side of a mirror. I finally felt at peace and ease; looking back at that difficult period made it feel like every day on the other side was a holiday.”
“I grew up in [Byron] so it’s a large part of who I am and will always influence my work. The rolling hills, the ocean — the sense of being free.”
Using these philosophies to guide her work, Hannah shares that actually creating the series was ‘pretty chaotic and messy’. First starting with a few paintings, before moving in a different direction. “It made me question where I was taking things, and I had to reset and start again,” the artist adds.
Holiday represents the process of trusting the creative process and patience, but also trusting yourself and inspiring a deeper connection to your emotions and surroundings. As we all reflect on a troubled year, Hannah’s new collection is a welcome reprieve for us all — a chance to step back and have a holiday, even if only from the day-to-day.
Mangifera Indica #1 and #2 by Hannah Carrick from her exhibition, Holiday at Yeah, Nice Gallery. Photo - Hannah Carrick.Photo - Hannah Carrick.Photo - Hannah Carrick.